44 
Flower Seeds 
Vick’s Garden and Floral Guide. 
O the grower of flowers, as well as to the student of botany, the history of the Aster 
presents many interesting facts. The China Aster, as the name implies, is a native 
of China, and was introduced into Europe about the year 1731 by a Jesuit missionary, 
R. P. dTncarville by name. At that time it was a single flower, the outer rays or 
florets being white, blue or violet in color, and the center a yellowish cast. Seeds 
of the single white and red Asters were received in England in 1731 and the single 
blue in 1736; but seeds of the double red, double blue and double white were not 
received until about 1753. About 250 varieties of Asters were known up to 1890. In 1893 Vick’s 
Branching Aster was introduced. This marked the most important change in the character of the 
family. The branching habit, the long stems, the extremely large flowers, were a revelation to 
Aster growers and created a furore wherever shown. The first of this new race was the white, 
which was soon followed by the six colors, making an ideal collection and one which at that time 
seemed beyond improvement. Since introducing the Branching Asters, however, we have been the 
introducers of eighteen distinct varieties—one new Aster each year—and this year is no exception, 
for we present Vick’s Rose King, a companion to Violet King, introduced in 1906. 
It is not exaggeration for us to claim to be the leading Aster growers of the world ; it is a state¬ 
ment borne out by facts. We have given to the public more high quality varieties than any other 
grower; many of these varieties are catalogued by seedsmen under the name “ Vick's -the 
seed we sell is grown under the personal care of an expert in Aster culture, and every pound is grown 
near Rochester; the seed is saved from perfect flowers only, is true to name and color, and is of the 
highest germination. 
Remember, you are absolutely sure of getting Vick’s Aster Seed when you buy the seed direct 
from the growers. There are however, a few reliable houses who have a limited quantity of our Aster 
seed, and catalogue them as “ Vick's ,” but you are sure of what you buy when you buy of Vick. 
$200 in Cash Prizes for Vick Quality Asters 
To be exhibited at New York State Fair, Syracuse, N. Y., September 12 to 17, 1910. 
In addition to our offer of $800 in cash for the best vegetables grown from Vick Quality Vegetable 
Seed, as announced on the frontispiece of this Catalogue, we offer a special prize of $200 for the 
Best Asters Grown from Vick Quality Aster Seed. 
CLASS A— Prizes for each of the Six Varieties 
1st Prize 2d Prize 3d Prize 4th Prize 
$10. $5.00 $3.00 $2.00 
You may enter any one or all of the following six : 
12 blooms Vick’s Mikado Pink, Rochester. 
12 blooms Vick’s Mikado White. 
12 blooms Vick’s Early Upright White. 
12 blooms Vick’s Imperial Daybreak. 
12 blooms Vick’s Early Branching Rose. 
12 blooms Vick’s Violet King. 
Flowers in Class A cannot be entered in any other class. 
Notice — You are not barred from entering for 
provided you send the proper number of flowers f 
compete in both classes. 
The same conditions govern both the Aster 
Grand Prize for Vick Quality Aster Collection. 
Twelve (12) blooms each (72 blooms in all) of 
Vick’s Mikado Pink, Rochester. 
Vick’s Mikado White. 
Vick’s Early Upright White. 
Vick’s Imperial Daybreak. 
Vick’s Early Branching Rose. 
Vick’s Violet King. 
1st Prize, $30 2d Prize, $20 3rd Prize, $15 
4th Prize, $10 5th Prize, $5.00 
Flowers entered for the Grand Prize will not be permitted 
to enter in any other class. 
prizes in Class A and the Grand Collection Prize, 
)r both classes, and notify us of your intention to 
and Vegetable contests (see frontispiece.) 
We suggest that you buy Vick Quality Aster Collection (see page 43). This gives the complete 
assortments called for in both contests. Should the flowers of one variety be injured you would still 
have other varieties to enter in Class A. By this plan you are sure to have something good to exhibit , and 
who knows but what your Asters may w ; n a prize ? 
